Salem Media Group has sold seven contemporary Christian music radio stations to the Educational Media Foundation (EMF) for $80 million, pending FCC approval.

The sale includes stations in major markets:

• KLTY-FM (Arlington, TX)
• WFSH-FM (Athens, GA)
• WFHM-FM (Cleveland, OH)
• KFSH-FM (La Mirada, CA)
• KKFS-FM (Lincoln, CA)
• KBIQ-FM (Manitou Springs, CO)
• KFIS-FM (Scappoose, OR)

EMF plans to implement its K-LOVE or Air1 Worship Now programming on these stations starting February 1, through a local marketing agreement. The organization currently reaches 18 million weekly listeners through over 1,100 broadcast signals nationwide.

This strategic move allows Salem Media Group to eliminate its long-term debt through several key transactions:

• Repurchase of $159.4 million in outstanding senior secured notes
• Issuance of $40 million in Series B convertible preferred stock to WaterStone Foundation
• Extension of credit line with Siena Lending Group

Additionally, Salem Media Group has entered a $10 million advertising and marketing agreement with EMF.

Edward G. Atsinger, Salem's executive chairman, expressed confidence in EMF's ability to maintain quality Christian music content, while EMF's interim CEO Tom Stultz emphasized their commitment to expanding gospel reach in these markets.

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